Methods and apparatus for performing resilient firmware upgrades to a functioning memory

A method of resiliently upgrading firmware for a removable memory card, said method comprising:

• modifying system files comprising firmware instructions in one copy of either a primary copy or said secondary copy to form an upgraded copy, wherein the modified firmware instructions are arranged to provide interfacing between a host device and a memory space of the removable memory card;
• and
• executing firmware instructions from the other copy of either said primary copy or said secondary copy, wherein the executed firmware instructions are also arranged to provide interfacing between a host device and a memory space of the removable memory card,
• wherein executing said firmware instructions and modifying said system files occur in a common interval of time.

A method of resiliently upgrading firmware for a removable memory card, said method comprising:

• designating a primary copy of firmware instructions for accessing and a secondary copy of said firmware instructions for upgrading;
• modifying system files comprising firmware instructions in said secondary copy to form an upgraded copy;
• and
• executing firmware instructions from the primary copy, wherein executing said firmware instructions and modifying said system files occur in a common interval of time;
• storing data representing a state of forming said upgraded copy;
• and
• accessing said data representing said state during a boot-up mode to select said one copy for modification and said other copy for execution based on said state, wherein accessing said state further comprises performing a subsequent boot-up mode following a disruptive event to resume forming said upgraded copy at a subsequent state.

A computer readable medium for facilitating the functionality of a non-volatile memory system during firmware upgrades, said computer readable medium comprising executable instructions to:

• designate a first copy of firmware instructions for accessing and a second copy of said firmware instructions for upgrading, wherein the first and second copy of firmware are stored in first and second non-volatile storage locations of the non-volatile memory system and the first and second copy of firmware each include instructions for rebooting the non-volatile memory system and for interfacing between a host device and a memory space of the non-volatile memory system;
• access from the first copy one or more firmware instructions for interfacing between the host device and the memory space;
• and
• upgrade at least a portion of said second copy's instructions for interfacing between the host device and the memory space with at least a portion of new firmware instructions for interfacing between the host device and the memory space,
• wherein said executable instructions to upgrade said portion of said second copy are configured to execute substantially coincident to said executable instructions to access said one or more firmware instructions from said first copy.

A multi-mode memory controller for selectably upgrading firmware through a plurality of selectable states, said multi-mode memory controller comprising:

• a firmware selector configured to select a first copy of firmware instructions for accessing in a functional mode and a second copy of said firmware instructions for upgrading in an upgrade mode, wherein the first and second copy of firmware instructions each include instructions for rebooting a non-volatile memory system and for interfacing between a host device and a memory space of the non-volatile memory system;
• and
• an upgrade controller coupled to said firmware selector, said upgrade controller being configured to:
• access from the first copy said first copy in said functional mode one or more firmware instructions for interfacing between the host device and the memory space, and
• replace at least a portion of said second copy's instructions for interfacing between the host device and the memory space with at least a portion of an upgrade firmware instructions for interfacing between the host device and the memory space in said upgrade mode,
• wherein said upgrade mode is substantially coincident to said functional mode.

A removable memory card including firmware upgradeable in phases, said removable memory card comprising:

• a flash memory including memory locations being configured to store:
• a primary copy of firmware, and
• a secondary copy of said firmware, wherein the first and second copy of firmware each include instructions for rebooting the removable memory card and for interfacing between a host device and the flash memory;
• and
• a memory controller coupled to said flash memory being configured to:
• modify system files comprising firmware instructions in one copy of either said primary copy or said secondary copy to form an upgraded copy, wherein the modified firmware instructions are arranged to provide interfacing between a host device and the flash memory, and to
• execute firmware instructions from the other copy of either said primary copy or said secondary copy, wherein the executed firmware instructions are also arranged to provide interfacing between a host device and the flash memory,
• wherein execution of said firmware instructions and modification of said system files occur in a common interval of time.

A removable memory card including firmware upgradeable in phases, said removable memory card comprising:

• a flash memory including memory locations being configured to store:
• a primary copy of firmware for accessing,
• a secondary copy of said firmware for upgrading;
• and
• an error log configured to maintain state data representing a state of system file modification;
• and
• a memory controller coupled to said flash memory being configured to:
• modify system files comprising firmware instructions in said secondary copy to form an upgraded copy;
• execute firmware instructions from the primary copy, wherein execution of said firmware instructions and modification of said system files occur in a common interval of time;
• and
• access said state data during a boot-up mode following a disruptive event to resume forming said upgraded copy at a subsequent state.